The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Nevada has restored runs of the Lahontan cutthroat trout, an ancient fish that was once declared to be extinct.

The trout went missing in Pyramid Lake the 1940s due to overfishing, pollution and invasive species. But the tribe has been raising new strains of the fish at its hatchery.

“Our fish have deep meaning for us, spiritually,” Albert John, executive director of fisheries for the tribe, told The New York Times.

The effort has paid off. Fishermen are catching trout that could rival the 40-pounders from historic days.

The tribe also has restored runs of the endangered cui-ui sucker fish.

Get the Story:
20 Pounds? Not Too Bad, for an Extinct Fish (The New York Times 4/24)